Pure Grit - with Paula McGrath Nova Podcasts

Joe Williams is a proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra, raised in Wagga NSW, Australia. Joe played in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching Joe to professional Boxing in 2009. Joe is a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion and won an WBC Asia Continental Title. 

Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe battled the majority of his life with suicidal ideation and Bi Polar Disorder. After a suicide attempt in 2012, Joe felt his purpose was to help people who struggle with mental illness. Through customised workshops Joe talks of dealing with adversities, struggles, resilience, addiction, connection, emotional wellbeing & healing trauma in schools, communities, correctional services, sporting clubs and workplaces. 

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Buddy Goode is a singer, songwriter, live performer and a sensational artist.

He blasted onto the Australian music scene after moving from his hometown, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA. One of 18 children, he came from adject poverty but was always destined to be a star.

Keith Urban suggested he "come Down Under" so that is exactly what he did.

His musical rise to the top really kicked off when he signed to ABC Music/Universal Australia. His rare and striking talent earned him 5 ARIA Award nominations and 2 ARIA wins for Best Comedy Release. He also claimed a MO Award for Best Comedy Act. 

Buddy has released 6 albums and tours country music festivals with artists like Adam Brand, Matt Cornell, Lee Kernaghan. He’s worked with Kaylee Bell, Drew McAllister, Shannon Noll and many names considered country music royalty. He is currently working on a musical "Wuhan Wuhan The Musical"! 

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Phil Burton has been at the top of his field for over 2 decades as a member of the legendary Aussie quartet Human Nature. Human Nature have achieved huge success both in Australia and the US (including a record breaking residence in Vegas). He has an Order of Australia Medal, was inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame with the band, he’s an incredible singer, keyboard player and guitarist and one of the most down to earth stars on the planet. Even with all this success, there have certainly been tough times in his career and life.

Phil has recently made the huge decision to stay here in Australia and not return to Vegas with Human Nature. On this podcast we talk about old times, fun times and of course the tough times. I have always loved Phil and the band and it is my pleasure to have him on Pure Grit.

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Dr Alice Edwards is a diplomat, skilled activist, lawyer and thought leader with over two decades of professional experience in human rights. This is not a career for the faint hearted and you certainly need pure grit and resilience when you’re doing your part to save humanity! Alice has a doctorate in public international law and she has published over 30 books, articles and reports. 

She is truly the most intelligent and compassionate human, selflessly fighting for justice for innocent victims, survivors and refugees of war torn countries like Rwanda, Bosnia and Mozambique. She’s proudly Tasmanian but lives in Geneva where the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and other UN agencies are based. Alice is presently Head of the Secretariat of the Convention against Torture Initiative, an inter-governmental project of six governments (Chile, Denmark, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco) aspiring – through quiet diplomacy and technical assistance – to reduce the risks of torture worldwide. 

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Em Rusciano is truly one of a kind. She is incredibly talented in so many ways. She truly is an all-round entertainer. Comedian, singer, radio and television presenter, creator of a successful podcast (Emsolation), author and mother of 3.

As Em says, in this interview she leaves ‘no stone unturned, I’ve probably said things I’ll regret!’ We talk about why her time in commercial radio left her with PTSD and how she longs to be Madonna’s daughter.

She also reveals how she came to be diagnosed with ADHD and we learn how she coped with the loss of a child. There is nothing off limits in this podcast. 

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 Ahmed Kelly is a two times Paralympian and Silver Medallist at 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London. Born with severely underdeveloped arms and legs which was not uncommon in Countries torn by chemical warfare. He was born in Iraq where in a Bagdad Orphange he met his now brother and previous guest on Pure Grit in April  Emmanuel Kelly where they met their Mum Humanitarian Moria Kelly. She adopted them both bought Ahmed and Emmanuel to Australia.

His sisters Krishna and Trishna who were previously conjoined twins are often poolside cheering on their brother . Ahmed had surgery to remove both his legs from below the knee then he was able to have prosthetics fitted and he was introduced to his first passion Australian Rules. He earned the nickname "Nails" for his tough-as-nails style of play...then turned to " Liquid Nails" when he discovered Para-Swimming.

Incredibly positive full of passion, grit and determination we chat about the Tokyo trials and making the Olympic team again  and his hopes to one day being a television commentator. Pure inspiration heartwarming.

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